MMA JUNKIE reports that Kimbo Slice will be coming soon to a CBS channel near you, as the network will start showing Elite Xtreme Combat contests.
(”Don’t touch that dial! Or I’ll kick your ass!“)
The CBS-EliteXC deal is expected to be officially announced on Thursday, with four fights penciled into select Saturday night timeslots. It will be the first time mixed martial arts will be broadcast on major network TV.
So, why would CBS agree to show a smaller MMA outfit like EliteXC instead of the more well-known UFC?
Because they own them.
CBS is an investor in ProElite Inc., the parent company of EliteXC, and the network recently expanded its ownership stake in the organization. Also, almost all of the fight promotion’s matches have been shown on Showtime - another CBS-owned entity.
Meanwhile, network execs must have been impressed with the way Slice diced Tank Abbott in Miami two weeks ago, as Kimbo is expected to headline the first event, scheduled for sometime in April in either Atlantic City or Newark, NJ.
But they were probably more impressed with the record gate he helped bring into the sold-out BankUnited Center.
So, if we’re not out trying to socialize on Saturday nights from 9-11 p.m, we might check out this new CBS carnage.
12:48 am on February 28th, 2008
This is an excellent move for CBS. Even more people will now be exposed to watching MMA, and it will grow at an even MORE rapid pace. Many people out there still dont even have Cable TV, so the move to network TV is great business. MMA is true combat with your entire body, not just fists like boxing. There are still tons of people that dont really realize that, but now if they are channel surfing, and come across Kimbo, or any other fighter knocking some guys mouthpiece across the ring, or some guy getting ground and pounded with elbows left and right, that will catch their attention, and before they know it, they will be hooked.
2:01 am on February 28th, 2008
I agree that this is a good move for EliteXC, but unless UFC follows, then MMA will continue to keep a limited audience. I love watching MMA, but in my opinion it just isn’t anywhere near boxing still, no matter what they try to tell you. Right now, you can watch boxing on Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Versus, Fox Sports, and all of the Spanish channels. MMA is on Spike, Showtime and PPV. Until MMA starts paying their fighters appropriately, it doesn’t matter who is airing it. But this is a good step for MMA, and hopefully both the UFC and boxing will also soon land on network television.
12:24 pm on February 28th, 2008
MMA is a joke. I can’t believe this stuff is going out on Network TV. If I wanted to see bar fights I would go hang out at a bar